ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Exarchate of Parishes of Russian
Tradition in Western Europe

First meeting of the Presbytery of the Vicariate

On Saturday 16th September 2006, Archbishop Gabriel and Bishop Basil met with clergy for their first formal meeting since the events in May, in the Vicarage of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Moscow Road, through the kindness of Bishop Theodoretos of Nazianzos.  Fifteen clergy gathered, and apologies were received from three more. 

After we had sung “Heavenly King”, Archbishop Gabriel and Bishop Basil welcomed all present, and the evident warmth and openness of our new Archbishop gave us heart and confidence in the future.  He spoke of how difficult it is to change things long accustomed, and recognised the suffering this entailed, but reminded us of the tradition we have inherited, the preservation of which is our first priority.

The business of the morning brought out the following points:

• action is needed to confirm the continuity of our institutions with those under Bishop Basil before the events of May.
• the situation of each of our communities was described, and a number of general issues identified:  the importance of openness to fellow Orthodox Christians, while guarding peaceably against those who seek to create factions;  avoidance of direct competition with another local community in the same place;  the wisdom of having clear and strict definitions of membership in our communities;  the importance of preserving the principle that clergy of a community recognise only one bishop, and do not play off one bishop against another;  and the need for younger clergy to be trained by those with more experience.

After lunch we were joined by Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira, who was formally thanked for his care of us, giving rise to spontaneous applause.  He reminded us that in so far as we are of one mind, we can speak for Christ.

The business of the afternoon brought out the following further points:

• the situation in the Cathedral was described, and the forthcoming liturgies at St Andrew’s, Holborn, complementing those at Clapham as a second point of new growth.
• a draft revision of the statutes to harmonise with the statutes of the Archdiocese had been prepared and distributed, and comments were invited. 
• a forthcoming conference was announced for all in the Vicariate, to take place at Holborn on 18th November. 
• a committee was formed to oversee the website, and suggestions for its content were received.

Finally, responses to our situation in Russia were described.  There is substantial support, especially among younger and more highly educated clergy at the centre.